Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lehi?
- 2 Does the City of Lehi Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Lehi?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lehi?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lehi?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lehi?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lehi?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lehi?
The natural beauty of Lehi is undeniable. In order to preserve the tree life in this area, it is important to have a clear understanding of potential diseases and pests that often appear in Lehi. Here are a few of the most common tree issues in this region.
Thousand Cankers Disease
Thousand cankers disease attacks various species of walnut, including English walnut, black walnut, and California walnut. Although it can take years for this disease to be externally visible, symptoms will eventually include yellowed foliage and oozing cankers. Walnuts impacted by thousand cankers disease will typically die within three years after they begin showing symptoms.
Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch elm disease is present throughout Utah. Although it can target any elm species native to North America, American elm is most at risk of suffering from this disease. Dutch elm disease is spread by a fungus that travels on beetles. When a tree is infected, its vascular system will become plugged, preventing the flow of water and eventually causing tree death.
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
This pest impacts all fir species. In Utah, subalpine fir is at particular risk. Balsam woolly adelgid will attach to a tree and feed on it, causing yellowing of needles, crown dieback, abnormal branch swelling, and reduced growth.
Does the City of Lehi Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If there is a hazardous tree on public property, the city of Lehi has the right to prune or remove it as needed. However, officials will typically try to avoid removing any tree unless it is absolutely necessary, and they will not remove healthy trees that are causing a nuisance. For example, if a tree’s roots are obstructing the sidewalk, but the tree is otherwise healthy, Lehi officials will generally opt to leave the tree in place.
Additionally, many of the street trees in Lehi are planted on the park strip, the area between the sidewalk and the street. These trees actually belong to the owner of the adjacent property, despite the fact that they appear to be on public property. This means that it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and remove these trees as necessary if they become hazardous. In order to limit the potential for future issues, property owners must apply for a permit before planting a tree in the park strip. This gives Lehi officials the chance to provide guidance as to the appropriate type of tree for the given location.
Although Lehi will generally not remove trees on private property, officials may be able to assist you if you spot a diseased or hazardous tree on a neighbor’s property. You can contact (385) 201-2294 to report a hazardous tree and Lehi officials will either remove the tree themselves or locate and alert the appropriate property owner.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Lehi?
If a tree has fallen in your yard, you may be wondering whether you are responsible for its removal. This will depend on whether you own the property, as well as what caused the tree to fall. Here’s what you need to know about fallen tree removal in Lehi based on these common scenarios.
If you’re a homeowner?
When a tree falls, the owner of the property is the person responsible for its removal. Therefore, if you are a homeowner and a tree has fallen in your yard, you’ll be the one who must contact us to arrange for its removal. Your insurance will often provide assistance, particularly if the tree damaged your personal property when it fell. However, you may be found negligent if the tree fell due to disease or infestation, as the case could be made that you could have prevented it from falling. In this case, your insurance is unlikely to provide as much assistance.
If you’re a renter?
Because you do not own the property, fallen tree removal will not be your responsibility in a rental home. In this situation, you should ensure to contact your landlord right away so that they can arrange for the tree’s removal as quickly as possible.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, it is vital to maintain every property you are renting out. As long as the trees on your property are healthy and well cared for, it is unlikely that you will be held liable for any damages if one should fall. However, you will still be the person who will need to contact us to arrange for removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
Although it may not seem fair, if your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, you will be the person responsible for its removal. This is because the tree becomes the responsibility of the person who owns the property where it fell, regardless of where the tree originated. However, since the tree was not originally yours, you cannot be held liable for any damages. You should file an insurance claim right away if your neighbor’s tree has fallen into your yard.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lehi?
The soil throughout Utah is often fairly challenging to work with, as it is a desert-like soil mostly composed of sand or clay. There is very little natural nutrition within the soil and the soil itself tends to be very alkaline, as there is not always enough rain to drain the salts. For trees to perform well in Lehi, it is important to properly fertilize the soil and determine the appropriate level of irrigation. If your soil is more sandy, it will not hold water well and higher amounts of irrigation are necessary. If you have clay soil, it will not drain well and you will need to be cautious to avoid overwatering your trees.
A quick way to determine whether your soil is predominantly sand or clay is to squeeze a damp handful. If the soil easily crumbles apart, it is mostly sand. However, if you squeeze the soil and it stays in a firm lump, it is mostly clay.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lehi?
Lehi is located in USDA Hardiness Zones 6b and 7a, meaning that the minimum winter temperature will range from -5° to 5° F on average. Many trees perform very well in this type of environment, particularly if you opt for native species. These include:
- Douglas-fir
- Box elder
- Bigtooth maple
- Engelmann spruce
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lehi?
If you spot a dead tree near a power line, you should refrain from approaching it. Trees that are located too close to power lines are a significant safety hazard. If any branches are in contact with the power line, it may result in power outages. This is both inconvenient and dangerous, as it can disrupt traffic signals, cause school closures, and force hospitals onto backup generators. Additionally, a tree in contact with a power line is dangerous to anyone in the immediate vicinity, as it can become energized and electrocute anyone who touches it.
Because this is such a serious issue, it is the responsibility of the local electric utility company to monitor all power lines and trim or remove any trees that appear to be a hazard. In Lehi, it is the Lehi City Power Department that oversees this type of situation. If you are in the middle of a power outage you believe to be caused by a tree, you can contact the Power Department directly by calling (801) 376-0681. If you see a hazardous tree near a power line, but a power outage has not occurred, you can report an issue here.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lehi?
Because there are so many factors that can influence the tree removal process, it is challenging to accurately predict costs. Homeowners in Lehi may pay anywhere from $200 to over $2,000, depending on the complexity of the removal, with an average around $630. Here are a few of the main factors that will influence the ultimate cost.
The Location of the Tree
Certain trees are very challenging for our removal crews to access. Trees in very small or oddly shaped yards, on slopes, or near buildings and power lines all may be more expensive to remove, as the removal process will be more complex and time-consuming. In contrast, trees that are very easy to access will be more affordable to remove. Trees that have already fallen will also generally be more affordable to remove, as the process will be much more straightforward.
The Urgency of the Situation
In general, standard removals will be more affordable than emergency removals. By their very nature, emergencies require a rapid response, if a tree has fallen on a house or into a road, it must be removed immediately regardless of the time of day. This means that our crew members are much more likely to need to work during off hours and the cost of labor will rise in order to properly compensate them for their time. Additionally, urgent situations like this are likely to be more dangerous than standard tree removals, thus increasing costs further.
The Size of the Tree
Because large trees are so much more challenging for us to remove, costs for this service will be much higher than if you are removing a smaller tree. Large trees often need to be removed in sections, requiring very careful planning to ensure the safety of our crew members. Additionally, large trees will necessitate more equipment and a larger crew, both of which will increase the price of removal.
